Obituary

Born in St. Albans, Vt., on April 2, 1935, she was the daughter of the late Hortense Julia Bouchard. She graduated Class of 1954 from New London High School along with her classmate and future husband, Ronald Birchall.

Nancy dedicated her life to her loving family and friends. She was predeceased by her loving husband of 58 years, Ronald. She was also predeceased by her sister, Shirley Venditti; her brothers, Ken, Jim and Don Bouchard; and her son, R. Jeffery Birchall.

Nancy was an incredible baker and cook, well know for her platters of Christmas cookies and pies. She was also a talented knitter and quilter; always making sure that every child, grandchild and great-grandchild received their annual cable knit sweaters, hats and mittens to keep them warm in the northeast winters. She also enjoyed nature and spent many years working at Holdridges and in the Greenhouses at Smith's Acres, Niantic. In her later years, she enjoyed playing cards with her dear friend, Bill Kowalski, and bingo with friends throughout the community.

The family would like to extend deepest appreciation to the CCU nurses at L+M Hospital for their excellent service and care where Nancy was supported until her final peaceful transition.

Her family will receive friends and family from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, May 31, at the Thomas L. Neilan & Sons Funeral Home located on 48 Grand St. in Niantic. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Catholic Funeral Mass at 1 p.m. Friday, June 1, at St. Mathias Church, at 317 Chesterfield Road, East Lyme.

In lieu of flowers, her family asks that donations be made to the American Heart Association in Nancy's memory.

Charities

American Heart Association

7272 Greenville Avenue Dallas, TX 75231

The American Heart Association's mission is to reduce disability and death from cardiovascular disease and stroke. The association was founded in 1924 and today is the nation's largest national voluntary health agency devoted to defeating heart disease and stroke, which together claim about 950,000 lives each year and rank as our nation's No. 1 and No. 3 killers. To prevent, treat and ultimately defeat these diseases, the association funds research, creates and implements professional and public education programs focusing on improving emergency care and reducing risk factors, holds community service activities and engages in advocacy efforts to safeguard American's health.